In a tragic turn of events at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade, a beacon of the community was lost. The event has sent shockwaves through the community.
Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a cherished mother of two and fan of football, was the victim of a senseless shooting that brought sudden grief to the festive atmosphere at the end of the Chiefs’ parade in Kansas City, Missouri. She suffered a gunshot wound to her abdomen and later succumbed to her injuries during surgery.
A valued member of the Kansas City community, Lopez-Galvan was known not just as a mother, but also as a vibrant local DJ hosting “A Taste of Tejano” on KKFI 90.1 FM. The station mourned the loss, stating, “It is with sincere sadness and an extremely heavy and broken heart that we let our community know that KKFI DJ Lisa Lopez, host of ‘Taste of Tejano’ lost her life today in the shooting at the KC Chiefs’ rally.”
The statement from KKFI 90.1 FM further implored, “Our hearts and prayers are with her family. We encourage anyone who feels they saw something to reach out to law enforcement at 816 234 5111. This senseless act has taken a beautiful person from her family and this KC Community.”
Her friends echoed the station’s sentiments, one of them, also named Lisa Lopez but with no relation, shared her thoughts with The Kansas City Star, “She was the most wonderful, beautiful person,” and fondly remembered her impact, “She [DJed] everybody’s weddings. We all know her. She was so full of life.”
In the wake of the tragedy, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas expressed his sorrow. He recounted how he almost brought his young son to the parade, highlighting the arbitrary cruelty of the violence that ensued. According to reports, the shooting resulted in one fatality and 21 injuries.
An active investigation is ongoing, with authorities having secured the scene at Union Station where the shooting erupted right after the Chiefs’ celebratory rally. Chief Graves stated that three individuals had been detained and were under investigation concerning the incident.
The Kansas City Chiefs, whose victory was the reason for the parade, assured in a statement that all players and their families were safe. Yet the community is left to grapple with the reality of violence piercing a moment of collective joy.
On social media, the outpouring of grief for Lopez-Galvan was immediate and heartfelt. “This breaks my heart so bad,” a comment read, reflecting the collective sorrow felt by many. The ‘A Taste of Tejano’ Facebook page shared a conversation Lopez-Galvan had before she passed, marking a stark reminder of the abruptness of her passing.
Lopez-Galvan’s last Facebook post invited her audience to tune into her radio show, saying, “Don’t forget to tune in tonight to A Taste of Tejano from 8pm to 10pm! Let us know if you have a birthday, anniversary or special announcement!” unaware of the events that were forthcoming.
Her life and career, so deeply intertwined with her community, were celebrated by many. As the community mourns, they also celebrate the life of a woman who brought music, joy, and companionship to so many.
Unfortunately, this is not the only case of a person sustaining a gunshot wound. A man sustained one when he tried to save his daughter. Read the full story here.